Lawmakers respond to State of the Union Address

Washington >> U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster issued responses to the State of the Union address Tuesday night.

Here's what they had to say:

Shuster

"Tonight's State of the Union speech was more of the same from a president whose failed policies have resulted in high unemployment, a loss of American jobs, and massive debt. Instead of signaling that he would be willing to work across the aisle to address these problems, President Obama simply doubled down on his plan to keep increasing the size of government through executive action.

"I have seen firsthand just how damaging President Obama's policies have been. Across Pennsylvania's 9th District, families are still struggling to get by. They continue to be burdened by the harmful effects of Obamacare and from onerous regulations that are forcing businesses all across the country to reduce or lay off employees. Just last week I visited the Hatfield's Ferry Coal Plant, a plant that closed in my district due to the skyrocketing costs of President Obama's endless EPA regulations. The plant had already invested millions of dollars in environmental protection measures, yet was still forced to shut its doors due to arbitrary new EPA rules. Hundreds of jobs were lost, and the community continues to suffer as a result.

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"President Obama seems committed to imposing his reckless agenda on the American people. But the president is wrong if he thinks he can simply go around Congress and write the laws himself. The president is a former Constitutional law professor and I expected him to respect the separation of powers and to not circumvent Congressional authority. But time and again he has shown us the complete opposite, and a lack of respect for our laws.

"We do not need out of touch bureaucrats in Washington creating endless regulations with no consideration of the cost or real world impacts. Throughout my time in Congress I have fought hard to be a voice for the people of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Regardless of the president's speech tonight, I will continue this fight to protect our Congressional authority and to protect my constituents from more overreaching, burdensome regulations."

Casey

"I am gratified that the President made jobs and the economy the central focus of his State of the Union address. Despite recent economic progress, far too many Americans are still struggling to get back on their feet. If you work hard and play by the rules, you should have the opportunity to succeed.

"I was encouraged by the President's emphasis on worker training programs, hiring incentives and pay equity to ensure workers have the chance to get ahead. Responsible development of natural gas is something I have pushed for a long time and the President's proposal will help create jobs in Pennsylvania while at the same time decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.

"I was also glad to see that the President underscored his commitment to early education and research to ensure our nation's long-term global competitiveness. I look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats to advance these efforts along with additional job creation measures like my bipartisan small business bill so that we can grow the economy and strengthen the middle class."

Toomey

"The problems the President decried tonight have grown far worse as a direct result of his policies. Now he is threatening to double down on those failed policies with unilateral executive fiats that may exceed his constitutional and legal authority.

"The President overstated the extent of the economy's recovery under his policies. In fact, the labor force participation is at its lowest point in 35 years because more and more people have become so discouraged with our dismal job market that they have given up looking for work in the Obama economy. Median family income is down by $2,000 since he took office. And the very income inequality the President spoke of has exploded under his leadership, so that today there is a wider gap than there was under President Bush and even prior to the Great Depression in 1928.

"There are ways to create jobs and a more robust economy where all incomes rise – for women and men, upper and lower income, everyone. For instance, I have a bill with Democratic Senator Menendez to help small business grow and hire workers. I support tax reform that would spur economic growth and enable American workers to compete successfully against foreign workers.

"From 2007 to 2012, the places that saw median household income grow were predominantly energy producing areas. Let's approve the Keystone XL pipeline which would create many jobs for Pennsylvania-based contractors and suppliers and allow the production of oil and gas on more federal lands to diminish our dependence on foreign energy.

"I am glad President Obama stressed the need for Trade Promotion Authority tonight. On a bipartisan basis, we must allow the President to complete trade deals that will open up foreign markets for Pennsylvania exports. While we disagree on other economic issues, I am reassured that our President remains committed to maintaining America's role as a global trade leader.

"I remain eager to work with the President on this issue and other efforts that will grow our economy."